BRENTWOOD - An East Kingston Planning Board member and his fiancee charged in connection with an alleged indoor marijuana growing operation are saying his 13-year-old son was the grower, police said in an affidavit.

Ikie Davis denied growing the marijuana in a police interview and pointed to his son as the culprit.

His fiancee, Kristen McManus, made the same allegation, but not initially. McManus first told police that Davis was growing the marijuana and was "just experimenting to see if he could even get the seeds to grow and what types of marijuana he could grow," according to an affidavit by East Kingston police Cpl. Mark Iannuccillo.

She also said that Davis was "not a drug dealer and that he was trying to grow marijuana so they could apply for a dispensary permit."

When police informed her that New Hampshire doesn't have dispensary permits, McManus stated that she "thought the governor was attempting to pass it," the affidavit said. McManus later changed her story and also blamed the marijuana operation on Davis' son.

Davis, 33, of 20 Andrews Lane, was arraigned Thursday on charges of manufacturing a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Penalties could be enhanced because the residence is less than 300 feet from the town's elementary school.

McManus, 40, also of 20 Andrews Lane, was arraigned Friday in the 10th Circuit Court in Brentwood after she was arrested and charged with criminal liability for conduct of another and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

McManus is accused of allowing Davis to grow the marijuana in the home she was renting. She and Davis are both accused of exposing children to the marijuana operation in the home.

The two were arrested after police searched the residence on Wednesday.

According to the affidavit, multiple marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia were seized.

At Friday's arraignment, McManus pleaded with the judge to set a low bail, saying she wasn't a flight risk, had no criminal history, and is a dental hygienist who's a single mother of two children living paycheck to paycheck.

"I have not even had a speeding ticket in my life," she said.

McManus also asked the judge to allow her to continue to have contact with Davis' son, saying she's been taking care of him for three years and is "in all essence a mother to him."

"I have no desire to harm a child or put them in any situation that is wrong. I have never abused a child or done anything to hurt a child. I love people. That's why I'm a health care provider," she told Judge Mark Weaver. Weaver set bail at $5,000 personal recognizance and $500 cash and ordered her to have no contact with Davis or his son.

She is due back in court June 7. Davis was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.